Anti-Doping—Get Educated!

Heightened awareness of the WDF Anti-Doping Rules

As a member of the World Darts Federation, the National Darts Federation of Canada adopts the WDF Anti-Doping Rules. The WDF Anti-Doping Rules state that random drug testing could occur at any WDF Ranked Event as required by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Athletes, coaches and officials are all subject to testing.

Athletes that compete in WDF Ranked Tournaments and WDF operated events (e.g. World Cup) need to be aware of these rules becauase sanctions, including suspension, can be issued for doping infractions.

Are you taking medication?

If an athlete is on medication, they should check the Prohibited Substances List to determine whether a Therapeutic Use Exemption is needed:

Any player testing positive without a TUE will face sanctions.

Impacts of Cannabis Legalization

With the legalization of Cannabis in Canada, the NDFC believes there is a need to clarify how this impacts sport. In the face of mounting complexity, it is important to remember that in the world of anti-doping, the debate is not complicated. In sport, cannabis is prohibited!

Players might ask, if it’s legal now why it is prohibited. There are many over-the-counter and prescribed medications that are on the WADA Banned Substances List. All prohibited substances are added to the Prohibited List because they meet two of the three following criteria:

Use of the substance has the potential to enhance performance;

Use of the substance can cause harm to the health of the athlete; and

Use of the substance violates the spirit of sport.

While the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) does not view cannabis as particularly performance-enhancing, there are anecdotal accounts of athletes using it therapeutically with the intent to improve performance or recovery by managing pain, stress, or anxiety.

While cannabis has therapeutic uses, habitual use or abuse presents the potential for harm, especially for younger athletes. Impairment during competition presents a liability to the safety of the athlete and their competitors.

Finally, given that cannabis is prohibited in competition, the CCES encourage athletes to demonstrate respect for their teammates, their opponents, and their sport by competing clean, clear, and sober.

Additional resources are available at the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport – Frequently Asked Questions to gain a better understanding of Cannabis in Sport.